Sparks
will fly on the offensive side of the ball
with Munson and Reed. The problem is with
the Broncos' tough schedule. It is unlikely,
with the problems in the trenches (on both
sides of the ball), that this team will
make any major strides from 2002's performance-level.
DT Jason Babin is their star, but he will
have trouble duplicating last year's success
with the inexperience surrounding him upfront.
WMU's (size) problems in the trenches showed
as they were worn down late in 2002's games
- they outscored opponents by 52 points
in the first quarter, but lost every quarter
afterwards. Coach Darnell and his staff
are going to have to make changes and adjustments
to improve. Predictable will equal losses,
especially if the running game never gets
going, a marginally good bet with their
OL. Can they be creative with their TE(s)
enough to keep opponents guessing?

We
expect a fresh and hungry WMU team to start
the year well, including a surprisingly
good showing at Michigan State. Virginia
will bring the Broncos back to earth, but
WMU should continue their success with possible
wins in road games against Ohio and Eastern
Michigan. A 4-1/3-2 start could be crucial
to bowl chances as then the Broncos entertain
Bowling Green, (at) Northern Illinois, Marshall
and (at) Connecticut in successive weeks.
This rough stretch combined with a late
season loss at Toledo should prevent a 6
or 7 win Bronco team from going to a bowl
game. Nevertheless, a team with this much
talent should provide enough success (and
competitive failure) to keep them happily
cheering late into many fourth quarters
in Kalamazoo.

There
is a lot of optimism on the offensive side of
the ball for the Broncos. Despite 2002's early
struggles, the Broncos ended with 89 points over
their final three games. Returning this season
are the two main catalysts in QB Chad Munson and
RB Phil Reed. The unheralded senior Reed rushed
for 1,053 yards and 10 TDs. He is a straight-ahead
runner with excellent spin moves and has shown
soft hands (15 receptions). WMU runs the one-back,
but expect backup RB sophomores Trovon Riley and
Daniel Marks to get their share of playing time.
In those last three games, both backs emerged
- Riley with 109 yards versus Central Michigan
and Marks with 93 against Eastern Michigan. Coaches
rave about Marks, a 225-pounder who found his
way to Kalamazoo all the way from Miami. But overall,
the Broncos ran the ball just over 45% of the
time, gaining just over 1,600 yards. They should
invest in these upcoming backs more, giving the
entire crew more than 32 rushing attempts per
game.

Chad
Munson took over in week six and never looked
back. His 328-yard performance against (then unranked)
Bowling Green proved his worth. A pocket passer
with a strong arm, Munson at times was interception
prone, finishing with 17. The coaches know Munson
is a playmaker, making us all expect big things.
The Broncos have depth at quarterback with fifth-year
senior Jon Drach, last season's starter before
Munson. Drach is a scrambler with good decision-making
capacities (only four INTs in 151 throws). The
pair combined for nearly 3,000 yards in 2002 as
the pass-happy Broncos threw about 55% of their
plays. They need to have an ostensible rotation,
allowing each to come in to keep it fresh and
unpredictable. Alone, neither is good enough to
take them to the next level, but together they
might.

Returning four seniors in the receiving core typically
is not considered a weakness. In the Broncos'
case, there is more to this book than the cover.
The losses of all-conference WR Jermaine Lewis
(17.2 yards per catch) and TE Mobolaji Afariogun
(team-leading five TDs) leaves a big question
mark. Back is 6'4, 223-pound senior WR Antonio
Thomas. The problem - he averaged 9.8 yards per
catch. He will be flanked by two inexperienced
players vying for the starting spot in 6'3 junior
Tyrone Walker and 6'3 Brandon Johnson. Coaches
are most excited about 6'3 senior go-to-guy Kendrick
Mosley getting his opportunity to shine as the
third WR. Mosley can do a little bit of everything
(reverses, punt-returns) but has never before
been "the man" on offense. At TE, the
Broncos will try to replace Afariogun by committee.
Sophomore Tony Scheffler will get the bulk of
the receptions, while juniors Anthony Kiner and
former linebacker Erik Oleson will handle most
blocking duties. This position is vital without
any fullbacks upon which to rely and a line that
is going to need help.

Last
season the Broncos gave up the most sacks in the
MAC, 50. Offensive line coach Mike Cummings has
the tall order of having to replace all but one
starter. And that starter, 6'6 junior OG Kyle
Ras, has but one year of starting experience.
Converted DL junior Chad Wangerin will play one
OT, and under-weight 6'8 sophomore Walter Stith
(a former TE) will take bookend tackle spot. Senior
Charles Missant is expected to start at center
while the early pick is sophomore Mark Ottney
to take the other OG position. The group will
obviously have to gel quickly for Munson and Reed
to have any success. But this is one of those
patch-work units that has potential both ways.
They will either scrap their way to marginal success,
or they will flop and be the focus of most offensive
woes.

RB
Philip Reed

WESTERN
MICHIGAN 2003 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

OFFENSE

QB

Chad
Munson-Sr (6-3, 210)

Jon
Drach-Sr (6-4, 220)

RB

Philip
Reed-Sr (5-10, 210)

Trovon
Riley-So (5-11, 210)

WR

Tyrone
Walker-Jr (6-3, 190)

Greg
Jennings-So (6-1, 190)

WR

Antonio
Thomas-Sr (6-4, 223)

Chris
Chestnut-Sr (6-0, 191)

WR

Kendrick
Mosley-Sr (6-3, 205)

Brandon
Johnson-Sr (6-3, 201)

TE

Anthony
Kiner-Sr (6-5, 280)

Tony
Scheffler-So (6-5, 250)

OT

Walter
Stith-So (6-8, 231)

Dominic
Moran-Fr (6-5, 280)

OG

Kyle
Ras-Jr (6-6, 288)

D.J.
Lockhart-So (6-4, 268)

C

Charles
Missant-Sr (6-3, 280)

Joel
Pfaendtner-Fr (6-4, 275)

OG

Mark
Ottney-So (6-5, 287)

C.R.
Moultry-Sr (6-6, 330)

OT

Chad
Wangerin-Sr (6-4, 298)

Brandon
James-So (6-5, 280)

K

Robert
Menchinger-Jr (5-10, 165)

Anthony
Apa-Sr (5-7, 185)

2003
DEFENSE

written
by Dave Bagchi

Despite
its high conference rankings, allowing 30+ points
in 6-of-12 games and a -12 TO margin were two
stats that show how far the Broncos defense still
has to go. The two largest question marks on defense
will be how to replace a graduation depleted linebacking
core as well take the pressure off Jason Babin
with improved play along the defensive front from
some new faces.

The
Broncos return three starters in a secondary that
was first in the MAC (21st in all Div 1-A) in
pass defense. Junior DB Tony Carr and senior Sam
Reynolds combined for 22 starts, 97 tackles and
5 interceptions. Carr is a lock to start after
a breakout 2002. This fall will mark a transition
year at the other corner spot where a bevy of
juco players are primed to make their contributions.
Highlighting this will be freshman Jimmie Vincent
and junior Willie Pope (expected to beat out Reynolds
by season's start), both products of Coach Darnell's
recruiting prowess in Florida. Several years ago,
the Broncos modified its defense to include an
extra safety in place of an outside linebacker.
This 4-2-5 formation is anchored by a former walk-on,
all-MAC senior Jason Feldpausch. 2002 was a breakout
season as Feldpausch had 104 tackles, 3 INTs,
8 passes defended and 5 forced fumbles in garnering
team defensive MVP honors. He will be complimented
by hard-hitting sophomore FS Kevin Ford and junior
SS Scott Robinson.

The
Broncos also finished second in the conference
in sacks and first in total defense (330.7 ypg).
The star of this unit and just the 9th Bronco
in school history to be named an All-American
is DT Jason Babin. Babin finished fourth in the
NCAA in sacks with 15, second in tackles-for-losses
with 26 and was named MAC defensive player of
the year. He is a 3rd-team Preseason NationalChamps.net
All-American for 2003, an honor placing amongst
the best in our eyes.

Graduation(s)
at LB have left question marks. Expected 2003
starters junior Willie Miller and sophomore Josh
Behrens are both banged up, but both are expected
to be ready. Waiting in the wings are redshirt
freshman Paul Tithof and a trio more of JC and
walk-ons, lead by junior Dan Steinau. Steinau,
Anthony Belmonte and Steve Robbins all saw extensive
action during Spring ball, and will be prepared
if Miller and Behrens are not ready. The bulk
of these guys are little, giving optimism to opposing
OCs. They have no chance against any bigger teams,
not with their smallish down-linemen.

Graduated
senior Chris Browning was key in taking the pressure
of Babin along the front. Undersized senior Hausia
Faleofa and senior Jon Jones will get the starts
at DT. Babin will be flanked by inexperienced
and basically untested line-mates. Trial-by-fire
will be an understatement with Michigan State
and Virginia two of their first three tilts.

DE
Jason Babin

WESTERN
MICHIGAN 2003 DEPTH CHARTReturning Starters in bold

DEFENSE

DE

Jack
Gitler-Jr (6-2, 245)

Nick
Melcher-Jr (6-3, 228)

DT

Hausia
Faleofa-Sr (6-2, 245)

Joe
Alvarez-So (6-2, 240)

NG

Jon
Jones-Sr (6-3, 290)

Duane
Robinson-Fr (6-5, 255)

DE

Jason
Babin-Sr (6-4, 265)

Ernest
Osborne-Jr (6-5, 235)

LB

Willie
Miller-Jr (6-3, 235)

Paul
Tithof-Fr (6-1, 202)

LB

Dan
Steinau-Jr (5-11, 215)

Josh
Behrens-So (6-2, 250)

CB

Tony
Carr-Jr (6-1, 180)

Eugene
Childs-Sr (6-2, 197)

CB

Sam
Reynolds-Sr (6-2, 193)

Willie
Pope-Jr (6-2, 185)

WS

Jason
Feldpausch-Sr (5-10, 195)

Shawntey
Lopez-Jr (6-2, 206)

SS

Scott
Robinson-Jr (6-0, 179)

Jon
Hall-Fr (6-0, 193)

FS

Kevin
Ford-So (5-11, 200)

Christian
Hodges-Sr (6-2, 195)

P

Adam
Anderson-Jr (6-0, 193)

Matthew
Sitz-Fr (6-5, 205)

2003
SPECIAL TEAMS

WMU
should once again have one of the best special teams
in the MAC. PR Kendrick Mosley averaged 15.2 yards and
had 2 touchdowns on punt returns, and Tyrone Walker
averaged 32.8 yards and had 2 touchdowns on kick returns
- both return. The Broncos also blocked 5 kicks! Junior
PK Robert Menchinger (7-of-9 on FGAs) returns. The only
weakness comes in the punting game where junior Adam
Anderson (35.5 yards per kick) is their choice, for
the time being.

This Bronco offense should be a lot better
than people expect. They are a deep group
who will do a lot of damage, permitting their
offensive line lattices into a solid crew
and vital players stay healthy Jason
Babin called QB Chad Munson the MVP of the
summer, as far as work ethic goes. Munson
has added to his bench press and just continues
to get stronger. This ethic will help him
keep an edge on backup Jon Drach. Both played
well this spring and give the Broncos one
of the best QB duos in the MAC. Let's not
forget about sophomore Blayne Baggett either
The running game is in good hands, and the
Broncos have three distinct backs who can
give them an offensive edge. Reed is the slugger,
Riley is the slasher, and sophomore Daniel
Marks is a combination of the two, proving
that he could be the best of the three by
season's end There is heavy competition
at WR, which should ultimately benefit Munson.
Jennings and Walker are battling for the third
spot, and both bring it to the table each
practice. A newbie in the receiving corps
to watch is Jermaine Copeland. He has 4.38
speed and could be a star of the future
Center Charles Missant really came to the
forefront and continued to improve throughout
the spring. Worries about the depleted offensive
line (four starters lost) are slowly evaporating.
They should be set to go and ready to fight
by the time MAC season starts.

Jason Babin proved he is up to his All-American
worth, notching a pair of sacks in the spring
game, while wreaking havoc and drawing double
teams along the front throughout nearly
every practice and scrimmage. He said he
has been working on drills to get him to
use his hands more, allowing him better
maneuverability. There is a good amount
of buzz on his end-mate Jack Gitler. He's
a hustler who goes full speed all the time
and should rake in better numbers this year
with all the attention being paid to J.B.
Senior DT Hausia "House"
Faleofa suffered a neck injury this spring
and sat out a good part of drills. He should
be fine for the start of fall practices,
but his absence allowed sophomore Joe Alvarez
to jump in and get much need reps
I have a good feeling about JUCO LB Dan
Steinau. He had a good spring and is extremely
enthusiastic about helping this defensive
squad. I expect him to step in and claim
a starting LB spot early in the year. This
LB group will have some depth, which will
be needed in later stages of the season
Safeties coach, Wally Ake is very confident
in Kevin Ford stepping in to replace the
departed Carlos Smith. He also mentioned
that any member of his "second squad"
has the ability to step in for a first-squad-er
and adequately plug the gap. Redshirt freshman
CB Jimmy Vincent is a talent. He could work
himself into a #2 spot.

Walker and Jennings will return kicks this
season with Mosley bringing back punts.
These return teams should give the Broncos
great field position for their offense to
work with. The kicking chores are leaning
toward Menchinger, who, along with punter
Adam Anderson, has been credited as working
extremely hard this off-season.